Autistic children were tested by hair analysis for toxic metals and essential elements. Forty-four children between the ages of 3 and 9 were diagnosed as having Autistic Spectrum Disorder, a diverse group of related disorders. The severity of each child was rated by the Childhood Autism Rating Scale, and the subjects were mostly boys Two had Asperger’s syndrome.

Comparison of the hair analyses was made with the testing of normal children. Among the children with autism, elevated levels of aluminum, arsenic, cadmium, mercury, antimony, nickel, lead, and vanadium were seen. Fifty-five percent of the autistic children had elevated aluminum, 32% had elevated mercury, and 59% had elevated lead. Elevated lead correlates with poor verbalization, and elevated mercury correlates with poor auditory response.

CONCLUSION: Heavy metals appear to play a role in Autistic Spectrum Disorder. The degree of severity of the elevation of the toxic metals correlates with the severity of the autistic symptoms. Mineral toxicity may play a role in neurotoxicity among children. Hair analysis appears to be a good way to evaluate the toxic metal and essential element status of autistic children.

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